ICC issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant over war crimes

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies + News websites
Today 14:29
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The decision obliges the ICC’s 124 member states to detain Netanyahu and Gallant should they enter their territory.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left and Security Minister Yoav Gallant attend a press conference in the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, October 28, 2023 (Pool Photo via AP, File)

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued on Thursday arrest warrants for Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Security Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of "crimes against humanity and war crimes."

This marks a significant escalation in legal actions concerning the war on Gaza, obliging the ICC’s 124 member states to detain Netanyahu and Gallant should they enter their territory.

The court announced its unanimous rejection of "Israel's" appeal challenging the ICC’s jurisdiction.

The ICC stated that there are "reasonable grounds" to believe Netanyahu and Gallant “bear criminal responsibility for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare."

It also indicated that they "intentionally and knowingly deprived" Gaza’s civilian population of essential resources, including food, water, medical supplies, and fuel.

US falls in line to defend Netanyahu

Netanyahu has previously dismissed the ICC prosecutor’s request in May for arrest warrants, describing it as "absurd and false" and a "distortion of reality."

Additionally, the court issued an arrest warrant for Hamas leader Mohammad Deif, citing charges of alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes.

It is noteworthy that in June, the US House of Representatives passed a bill that would, if enacted, revoke US visas for ICC officials, restrict their entry into the United States, and impose financial penalties on any ICC personnel involved in efforts to prosecute or detain US allies.

At the time, incumbent US President Joe Biden voiced strong opposition to the legislation, which passed with a 247-155 majority, including the support of 42 Democrats.

Senator John Thune, who is poised to become the Senate majority leader, said on Sunday that the United States must enact legislation imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) if it proceeds with issuing arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or other Israeli officials.

“If the ICC and its prosecutor do not reverse their outrageous and unlawful actions to pursue arrest warrants against Israeli officials, the Senate should immediately pass sanctions legislation, as the House has already done on a bipartisan basis,” he posted on X.